You can apply a gradient adjustment in Lightroom using the Masking tool, specifically the Linear Gradient mask. Here's how:
Applying a Linear Gradient Mask in Lightroom
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Access the Masking Panel: Locate the Histogram in Lightroom's Develop module. Below the Histogram, click on the Masking icon (it looks like a circle with a dotted outline). This will open the Masks panel.
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Select the Linear Gradient Tool: Within the Masks panel, click the Linear Gradient icon. It looks like a rectangle fading from solid to transparent.
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Draw the Gradient: Click and drag on the image where you want the gradient to start and end. The area between the two lines represents the gradient falloff. The solid line is the beginning of the effect, the dotted line is the end.
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Adjust Exposure and Other Settings: After drawing the gradient, you can now adjust various settings like Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Whites, Blacks, Temperature, Tint, Clarity, Dehaze, and Saturation using the sliders in the adjustment panel. These adjustments will be applied gradually across the gradient area.
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Fine-tune the Gradient:
- Rotation: You can rotate the gradient by hovering near the lines and dragging the curved arrow that appears.
- Positioning: Move the entire gradient by clicking and dragging within the gradient area.
- Width: Adjust the falloff by moving the dotted line closer to or farther away from the solid line.
- Deletion: Delete a mask by selecting it in the Masking panel and pressing the Delete key.
Example: Darkening a Sky
Here's a common scenario: darkening a blown-out sky:
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Follow steps 1-3 above. Draw the gradient so the solid line is along the horizon and the dotted line extends up into the sky.
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In the adjustment panel, reduce the Exposure slider to darken the sky. You might also want to reduce Highlights and increase Contrast for a more dramatic effect.
Additional Tips
- Multiple Gradients: You can add multiple gradients to the same image by clicking the "Add" button in the Masking panel after creating your initial gradient.
- Using Other Masks: You can combine the Linear Gradient tool with other masks like the Brush, Radial Gradient, or Color Range to create even more precise selections.
- Invert the Mask: Use the invert function in the mask panel to apply adjustments to everything except the selected area.
- Presets: You can save your gradient adjustments as presets to apply them to other photos quickly.
By understanding how to use the Linear Gradient tool in Lightroom, you can precisely control the tonal range and apply creative effects to your images.
